Premier League referee Mark Halsey has been dropped from officiating any games this weekend following his failure to dismiss Wigan midfielder Callum McManaman for
his wild tackle on Newcastle’s Massadio Haidara on Mar. 17. Halsey, 51, told the Football Association that his view of the incident was blocked by a Newcastle player but he
would have dismissed the 21-year-old had he had a clear view of it.

Meanwhile, The Guardian claims that the only reason McManaman was not retroactively banned for the violent
challenge was that assistant Matthew Wilkes had informed the FA that he witnessed “a coming together” of the players. This assessment prevented the FA from taking further
action.

Newcastle has since labeled the FA’s disciplinary process “not fit for purpose,” demanding a change in the rule that saw McManaman escape any sanction.